The Lysefjord at a glance
Lysefjord and Lysefjorden are the same fjord: a long, steep-sided arm of water in Rogaland, with the cliffs of Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) and Kjerag above it. Most visitors start in Stavanger. From there you can take a ship or a RIB boat along the fjord, hike up to the Preikestolen plateau, or book a guided day trip with pick-up.
This guide covers the fjord from every side: cruises, the Preikestolen hike and the guided versions of it, Kjerag and the Kjeragbolten boulder, the Flørli stairs, Lysebotn at the end of the fjord, other hikes, Stavanger, getting there, weather, places to stay and history. Prices for parking are in Norwegian kroner (NOK) for 2026. Tour prices are in euros and show live on the cards.
Our picks: tours on the Lysefjord
The electric catamaran is the calm way to see the fjord and Preikestolen from the water, while the RIB is faster and you wear a flotation suit. The guided Preikestolen tours and the Kjerag day trip are the hikes, and the combination tour puts a RIB safari and the walk to the top on one day.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
RIB safari and Preikestolen hike in one day
- RIB safari into the Lysefjord
- Guided hike to the summit
- Minibus back to Stavanger
You start on the water and walk up from the Preikestolen basecamp after a minibus transfer. Hiking clothes can be hired.
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Guided Kjerag day trip from Stavanger
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Scenic drive through a glacial trough
- Stop in a local village
A guided hike to Kjerag with the transport arranged and viewpoints over the Lysefjord.
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Guided Preikestolen hike with hotel pick-up
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Professional guide
- Air-conditioned minivan
A guided day trip to Preikestolen with the transport from Stavanger arranged for you.
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Preikestolen with a local guide and bus
- Bus transport
- Local guide
- Snack
The meeting point is the cruise terminal in Stavanger, so it fits a port day.
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RIB boat tour into the Lysefjord
- Experienced skipper
- Floating suits in all sizes
- Goggles and gloves
A fast ride on a high-speed RIB toward Preikestolen, with safety gear provided.
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Fjord cruise on an electric catamaran
- Round-trip fjord cruise
- Audio guide
- Sun deck access
A round trip on an electric catamaran with panoramic windows and free Wi-Fi on board.
Check availability →Lysefjord cruises, RIB safaris and guided hikes
Fjord cruises from Stavanger, RIB boat tours, guided Preikestolen and Kjerag hikes, with live prices and availability.
Choose how you want to see the fjord
Start with the tour type, then read the detail page.
Lysefjord cruises from Stavanger
Catamaran, electric and hybrid ships of 2.5 to 3.5 hours with a view of Preikestolen from below.
RIB safari on the Lysefjord
A fast two-hour boat ride with a skipper and a flotation suit.
Lysefjord tours from Stavanger
Cruises, RIB, hikes and Kjerag compared by type.
Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)
On foot, with a guide or from the water.
The Pulpit Rock hike
Distance, climb, time and parking.
Guided Pulpit Rock tours
Hikes from Stavanger with pick-up.
Preikestolen in winter
Snow, ice, short daylight and guided winter hikes.
Kjerag
The trail above Lysebotn and its season.
Kjeragbolten
The boulder between two rock walls.
The Flørli stairs
4,444 steps in a village reached by boat.
Lysebotn
The ferry, the hairpin road and Kjerag access.
More hikes around the fjord
Fantahålå, Hengjanenibbå and other trails.
Stavanger
City walks, harbour and the cruise port.
Getting there
Stavanger Airport, bus, ferry and car.
Best time to visit
Monthly temperatures and rain for Sola.
Where to stay
Stavanger, Lysebotn or Flørli.
History and facts
Fjord facts, the Flørli power station and tourism.
Top-rated hotels in Stavanger
A few things to know before you go
Short answers to the questions that decide a day on the fjord.
A boat does not reach the plateau
On a cruise or RIB tour you see Preikestolen from below. Standing on the plateau means walking up, either on your own or with a guide. Many people do one on a different day.
Preikestolen overview →Preikestolen is a year-round trail with a winter side
The trail is normally open all year. Snow, ice, short daylight and quick weather changes can make it a different hike in winter, and spikes and suitable clothing may be needed.
Winter guide →Kjerag is seasonal
Kjerag is closed for the season. The road and trail are expected to reopen on 1 May 2027, which is an expected date and not a promise. Parking there is NOK 300 for more than 2 hours (2026).
Kjerag guide →The road to Lysebotn and the ferry depend on season
The Lysevegen hairpin road is seasonal and depends on the weather. The public boat line 560 runs Lauvvik to Lysebotn, with a winter timetable valid from 1 October 2026. Online booking closes 120 minutes before departure. Check the current timetable before you go.
Lysebotn guide →Bring the right gear
Sturdy shoes, layers, rain protection, water and food for a hike. RIB tours provide a flotation suit, life jacket, goggles and gloves.
Beyond the Lysefjord
This site stays on the Lysefjord. For other fjords such as the Geirangerfjord, see Norwegian Fjords. If you also plan time in Bergen, the guide at Bryggen and Bergen covers the city.
Lysefjord: frequently asked questions
What is the best way to see the Lysefjord?
It depends on the time you have. A fjord cruise of 2.5 to 3.5 hours is the easy option, a RIB tour is shorter and faster, and the hike or a guided hike takes most of a day. You can combine two on different days. See the tours page for the types.
How long is the hike to Preikestolen?
The trail is 8 km return, about 4 hours, with 500 metres of climbing in total. Treat the time as a plan for good conditions. Details are on the hike page.
Can I get to Preikestolen by boat?
No. A boat shows the cliff from the water, and the plateau is reached on foot. Read the Preikestolen overview for the options.
Is Kjerag open?
Kjerag is closed for the season and is expected to reopen on 1 May 2027. Read the Kjerag page before you plan.
Is lysefjord.org the official site?
No. It is an independent travel guide with no link to a municipality, tourist board, tour operator, cruise line or parking company.